Ómnibus de México from Mexico City has purchased 21 Setra S 417 coaches. This vehicle is the US version in the TopClass 400 series. The first seven units were handed over to the customer in August and the remaining 14 will be delivered before the end of the year. Ómnibus de México belongs to the Grupo Toluca company, which has a 3000-strong vehicle fleet and is one of the biggest bus and coach companies in the country.

Each of these new Setra S 417 models can accommodate 46 passengers and is equipped with the extra-soft "Ambiente" seat upholstery – an aspect to which this particular customer attaches great importance. Further features of these premium coaches include an extremely sophisticated, high-quality designer paint finish as well as air conditioning, a radio, a CD changer, a DVD player and seven flatscreen monitors.

The coaches will mainly be used to carry passengers on long-distance routes between Mexico and California and display classic Setra design features such as distinctive "La Linea" aluminium styling, an integral mirror system and a specially uprated version of the TopAir air-conditioning system designed to cope with the specific climatic conditions in this part of the world.

The American version of the Setra TopClass 400 is 13.7 m long and 2.6 m wide. Power comes courtesy of a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine with an output of 321kW/435 hp. An Allison B500 R automatic transmission is fitted as standard. External features include a windscreen that is split down the middle. This means that the glass can be replaced quickly and cost-effectively, which is particularly important given the high risk of stone damage here.

In the words of Setra's brand spokesman Werner Staib, "The product characteristics of the S 417 premium touring coach make it particularly well suited for carrying passengers between Mexico and the United States. This order represents the first step towards establishing Setra on the Mexican market."